What is measured in a water quality test? A lot of things.
Water quality tests are important in a number of ways. The Environmental Protection Agency has minimum standards for drinking water that must be met at every step of the process. That starts at the water source, extends through the water processing plant and delivery system to your home. State and local regulations also apply to water quality.
So what is measured when determining water quality? New homes and existing wells are tested for the presence of coliform bacteria, which is very important. The best known coliform to many people is e. coli, which can make you very sick. Your water should test negative for coliform.
There are a number of other properties to test when determining water quality.
How important is water quality for tankless water heaters? Very important when it comes to the hardness of the water.
Water hardness is caused when minerals are present. Usually, the culprits are calcium and lime. When water is heated, the minerals tend to clump up and cause scale deposits. In traditional water heaters, these deposits usually just sink to the bottom of the tank and go unnoticed. But with a tankless water heater, the deposits can form inside the unit, eventually clogging it up or releasing the deposits into appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher.
The water in the Cincinnati area is very hard, so that is something to consider when you have a tankless water heater. Without a water softening system, the tankless heater should be flushed at least once a year to prevent damage to it or other household appliances. The Geiler Company can do this work for you.
If you are in the market for a more permanent solution, the Geiler Company has a full range of water softening options that will fit the bill in your home and still allow you to enjoy the benefits of a tankless water heater. One such option is the Scale Stik, which is an electricity and salt-free way to keep your water soft with very little expense or hassle.
The type and amount of water softening you need depends on a number of factors, including your amount of hot water use and the type of tankless water heater you have. Each model has a specified level of water hardness that it can deal with before it becomes a problem.
Call or TEXT the Geiler Company at 513-574-0025 for an evaluation of your water quality and your tankless water system. We will make sure that your hot water needs are met in the most efficient and affordable way possible.
Does water have a taste? The short answer is yes.
Research done on the perception of taste in water shows that there are a number of factors at play, including what minerals are present in the water, where the water comes from and the unique biology of the taster. That's why some people will insist that their water has a taste and others can't taste a thing.
Let's start with the minerals. Water from natural sources like rivers, springs or wells all have microscopic bits of minerals in them, even after the filtering process. If you look at a bottle of water or get a water quality report from your municipal provider, you will find a measurement of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS on the label) in parts per million (PPM). All this means is that minerals are present. Research has shown that bicarbonate, sulfate, calcium and magnesium are the four minerals that affect taste the most.
Who does water quality testing for my drinking water? That depends on your water source.
If you pay a water bill to a municipality or water utility, they are legally bound to follow federal and state water quality guidelines. This includes regular inspections from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state enforcement agencies. Water quality is tested and regulated at the source level when it enters a water treatment plant, inside the plant itself, when it leaves the plant and when it is in the pipes leading to your home.
Once the water passes the water meter, or if you have a private source, the responsibility for water quality falls to you. The EPA recommends annual testing of well or spring water that is used as a primary water source. Some of the things you should test for include coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels.
The EPA has more information on testing at https://www.epa.gov/sites/
What causes a rotten egg smell in my water?
That is a chemical called hydrogen sulfide. It's not harmful, but even a small amount can really stink.
Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally and can build up in your appliances or pipes over time until you begin to smell it. There are three places that are usually the origin of the rotten egg smell. To find which one it is will require a little aquatic detective work. The first step is to run hot and cold water in all the faucets of your house at the same time. Quickly go from room to room and give each fixture a sniff. Smell them together, then turn off one at a time to get an individual whiff. Note whether the smell is coming from all faucets or just those in one particular room.
Why is water hardness important?
The proper hardness level in water can control how long your water heater lasts, how sudsy your soap gets and even how the glasses in your cabinet look.
So what is hard water? In this case, the word "hard" means that the groundwater contains mineral deposits, usually calcium and magnesium. The more mineral deposits, the "harder" the water. According to the United States Geological Survey, groundwater in the Cincinnati area is very hard.